First attempt to apply 2.5-/spl mu/m super-resolution microfocus X-ray computed tomography to the human skeletal structure-visualization of the human fetal lumbar vertebra and auditory apparatus and 3D reconstruction

The conventional XCT for medical use cannot be used to fine tomographic detail beyond 0.4 mm spatial resolution. We have, therefore, attempted to produce human tomograms with three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions for the first time by employing super-resolution micro-focus XCT (MFXCT), which has a maximum spatial resolution of 2.5 /spl mu/m. We succeeded overcoming the problem of obtaining detailed images of the lumbar vertebra and auditory apparatus of a human fetus.